weakness

American  

[week-nis] / ˈwik nɪs /

noun

1. the state or quality of being weak; lack of strength, firmness, vigor, or the like; feebleness.

   Synonyms:

   fragility

   Antonyms:

   strength

2. an inadequate or defective quality, as in a person's character; slight fault or defect.

   to show great sympathy for human weaknesses.

   Synonyms:

   flaw

3. a self-indulgent liking or special fondness, as for a particular thing.

   I've always had a weakness for the opera.

   Synonyms:

   appetite, hunger, passion, penchant

4. an object of special desire; something very difficult to resist.

   Chocolates were her weakness.

---

weakness British  

/ ˈwiːknɪs /

noun

1. the state or quality of being weak

2. a deficiency or failing, as in a person's character

3. a self-indulgent fondness or liking

   a weakness for chocolates

---

weakness Idioms  

1. see have a weakness for.

---

Related Words

See fault.

Other Word Forms

• nonweakness noun

Etymology

Origin of weakness

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English waikenes, weikenes. See weak, -ness

Example Sentences

If there is a potential weakness, it may among the pace bowlerss.

From Barron's

The CME raised its margin requirements for gold and silver as of the close of business Monday, likely contributing to Monday’s weakness in the metals.

From MarketWatch

He said that some of the “trickier” corporate earnings are now in the rearview mirror for this season and brief pockets of weakness in equities last month have been bought.

From MarketWatch

If it persists, the dollar’s recent bout of weakness could push inflation even lower, both by reducing prices of imported goods and services, and by weakening demand for eurozone exports.

From The Wall Street Journal

The currency’s weakness has in turn, fueled persistent import-led inflation as Japan buys essentials such as energy and food from abroad.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• deficiency
• failing
• flaw
• fragility
• frailty
• gap
• instability
• lack
• lapse
• shortcoming
• vulnerability